Bay City approves new Imagination Station playground

Site plans show a general layout of the new Imagination Station playground in Bigelow Park on Middlegrounds Island.

(Courtesy )

BAY CITY, MI -- With little discussion, the Bay City Commission gave the green light for a new, universal-access playground to be built in Bigelow Park.

At its meeting Monday, Feb. 20, the City Commission unanimously approved a master plan for the new Imagination Station playground and amended the city's park and recreation plan to accommodate the estimated $1 million project.

The commission also approved applying for a Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant in the amount of $300,000 to assist with the development of the playground, which is to be located near the Boys and Girls Club in Bigelow Park on Middlegrounds Island.

"I think this is going to be a great addition to the city and the 6th Ward," said Commissioner John Davidson, 6th Ward.

Bay City crews razed the community-built Imagination Station playground in Veterans Memorial Park on Tuesday, April 14, 2015.

It was the final governmental approval needed for the project, which a community group started planning about two years ago after the original Imagination Station playground, located near the ball parks in Veterans Memorial Park, was torn down. City officials deemed the playground a liability due to its location and environmental concerns after arsenic from its pressure-treated wood leached into the soil.

While the playground will be owned and maintained by the city, a citizens committee facilitated by the Bay Area Community Foundation continues to fundraise for the project.

To date, the group has raised about $225,000. The DNR Trust Fund grant would bring the group closer to constructing the playground's first phase, which is estimated to cost $727,000. DNR grants are typically rewarded in the fall.

The first phase of the project includes site preparation, installation of utilities, parking, hardscape walkways and some of the playground fixtures. The second phase includes the remaining playground fixtures, new bathrooms and additional lighting.

The estimated $1 million price tag on the playground doesn't account for donated work and in-kind donations.

In addition to $50,000 in Community Development Block Grant dollars approved in 2015, the city has committed about $140,000 in in-kind labor, according to cost estimates obtained by The Bay City Times/MLive. That includes some utility work, electric installation and tree and curb removals.

Playground committee members said if funds can be raised in time, they hope to break ground this year and have the first phase of the new Imagination Station completed by spring 2018. The second phase would be completed once funding is secured.